The new GoPro 3 Black shoots some of the best 1080p @ 60 FPS HD video I have seen. It can even shoot video at resolutions higher than HD(2.7K and 4K).

If you are outside with plenty of light it is the most portable high quality video camera you can find. It even has a wireless remote control for those times when you are bouldering and filming by yourself.

I got mine for $399 from Best Buy and that includes the waterproof housing.

Here are some sample videos. You can download the original files from Vimeo. Please note that this is in a very poorly lit gym so there is more noise than you would see if you were bouldering outside in better light.

I've been using a Hero 3 Silver (they were out of the black when I got it at Best Buy). It's great in bright light, but in low light the noise is just too bad. By low light I don't mean dusk, I was trying to shoot a climb that came out of a cave during a cloudy day, and there was no way to get a decent shot.

Is the black model that much better in low light? If not, do you know any relatively small cameras with better sensors? (preferably for under $700)

I've been using a Hero 3 Silver (they were out of the black when I got it at Best Buy). It's great in bright light, but in low light the noise is just too bad. By low light I don't mean dusk, I was trying to shoot a climb that came out of a cave during a cloudy day, and there was no way to get a decent shot.

Is the black model that much better in low light? If not, do you know any relatively small cameras with better sensors? (preferably for under $700)

Yes if you can still return the silver I would. The 2.7K protune mode of the black is actually very good in low light. If you shoot at 24 FPS cinema or even 30 FPS widescreen it will hold its own in low light. I have tried the 4K at 15 FPS mode and it doesn’t do as well as the 2.7K mode.

You need a hefty computer/video card to edit 2.7k video though.

All of the wide angle video after this point in the video below is 2.7K @ 30 FPS. This gym has terrible lighting.

Thanks, that footage looks great! I'll try out the Black, and if the improvement is noticeable I'll keep it and sell the Silver.

You should let me know when you do that. I too have a Silver Edition and unfortunately I am disappointed with the quality of video it shoots.. i feel i can get better videos and images with my iPhone 4S.

A GoPro 1, 2, or 3 Black? There is a HUGE difference between the GoPro 1/2 and the 3 Black. They are not even remotely similar in quality of the video.

True, that. Unfortunately they all have the 170 degree wide angle lens, which is great for some things, but just doesn't work well when used for climbing POV - especially when head-mounted. We move our heads and look around - a *lot* - when we climb. That plus the inherent barrel distortion of a wide angle lens makes most GoPro climbing POV nearly impossible to watch for more than a few seconds.

A GoPro 1, 2, or 3 Black? There is a HUGE difference between the GoPro 1/2 and the 3 Black. They are not even remotely similar in quality of the video.

True, that. Unfortunately they all have the 170 degree wide angle lens, which is great for some things, but just doesn't work well when used for climbing POV - especially when head-mounted. We move our heads and look around - a *lot* - when we climb. That plus the inherent barrel distortion of a wide angle lens makes most GoPro climbing POV nearly impossible to watch for more than a few seconds.

I would mount it on your back with an extension pole. Your back doesn't move as much as your head will. If you can get a high above the head looking down shot it might look cool.

I agree the on the helmet shot is just not exciting anymore.

The GoPro really is best for Bouldering shots. You can simply put it on the ground and get some great close up wide angle shots that would be impossible otherwise.

Mine is a Hero 960. Yes, head mounted is useless because of the amount of head movement. It is too wide angle to be useful on the ground. My IXUS 240 with a light tripod is great. My Canon HV30 is better because the pivoting screen makes it easier to film while belaying. There's a lot of new quadcopters with video or that take GoPros, that should be fantastic ... but you'd need an extra person to operate them. http://www.gizmag.com/dji-phantom-quadcopter/25672/

I think Panasonic makes some pretty decent HD camcorders. I've got a Panasonic HDC-TM80K. It shoots 1080 video, so you are getting that resolution you are looking for and then some. 720p for internet videos is really all you need. This one should do a good job indoors or outdoors if bouldering is all you are looking to shoot. I found it here, http://10rate.com/...-camcorders-reviews/, then ended up buying it on amazon for less than $300. That's way in your price range too. Hope this helps.